Miami Dolphins-Panthers: Ten-pack of what to look for

August 19, 2011|By Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel

I’m positive everyone will be obsessed with how the Miami Dolphins quarterbacks play during tonight’s exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers. That’s the norm, and has been since the curse of Dan Marino started.

However, there’s plenty more to see in the Dolphins’ first showcase game for South Florida fans, and owner Steve Ross, who wants flash and sparkle.

Here’s a breakdown of the players you should keep your binoculars on. All of them have subplots in what’s been the most boring camp of my Dolphins tenure (true story…one position battle folks), and I detail them.

Matt Moore is clearly on the list because of the issues this team has/will have at the quarterback position. Sun-Sentinel columnist Mike Berardino breaks down why he has history with quarterback coach Karl Dorrell.

But truthfully speaking, Moore has about a 7 percent change of unseating Chad Henne before the season-opener. Henne would need to fall flat on his face and completely lose the locker room and his confidence. I don’t think that’s happening before Labor Day weekend.

But Henne will need to produce a respectable performance in front of Sun Life Stadium fans. I expect that will happen.

Here’s what else I’ll be watching for.

1. How does Marc Colombo handle Carolina’s first-team ends and pass rushers. Those who know me know I love line play. I’ve watched Colombo for two weeks now and his pass blocking ability has me scared. Is he working off rust, or does he need to be replaced by Lydon Murtha or Vernon Carey? Only time and sacks will tell us.

2. How does the inside linebacker duo of Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett handle Carolina’s talented duo of tight ends. Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey are studs, and everyone around here knows the Dolphins don’t cover tight ends very well. A tight end is usually the favorite target of a young quarterback like Cam Newton.

3. Which safety will perform the best in the battle for the starting free safety spot. Chris Clemons presently has the lead because he outperformed Reshad Jones against the Falcons. Will Jones close the gap on him by making plays against the Panthers’ inexperienced quarterbacks. I expect Clemons and Jones to continue rotating every defensive series. A starter will likely be decided after this game.

4. Are any of the Dolphins’ tight ends going to step up and deliver. Even Anthony Fasano has fallen short of meeting my expectations. Brian Daboll’s offense targeted the tight ends regularly in Cleveland. It appears the Dolphins might have to ditch that plan if Charles Clay doesn’t accelerate his development.

5. Can Daniel Thomas get it going. I’m tired of hearing he’s a gamer, then not seeing him ball. I’ll give him a pass for game one because the offensive line failed to produce any running lanes ALL game. However, at some point Thomas is going to need to flash at us more than once a game (that run after catching Henne’s check-down pass was impressive).

6. Will Jimmy Wilson continue to flash, moving himself up the depth chart even more? Now that this rookie is exclusively a cornerback he needs to play with the second unit. It’s a given that Wilson makes the 53, which means Nate Ness and Nolan Carroll need to impress to avoid relocating.

7. How does Will Allen play in his first game in nearly two years. Allen has been battling knee soreness, which is understandable considering his age, and the extent of his knee injury. I’m pleased to see the Dolphins aren’t rushing him – continuing their tough guy approach, which was BS - but Allen needs to prove he belongs on the roster. However, it’s now a long shot he’ll unseat Benny Sapp for the nickel spot, but is Allen amongst the top five cornerbacks?

8. We need to see how Sean Smith and Vontae Davis are maturing. It should be fun to see how Davis performs against Steve Smith. The last time the two matched up, which was Davis’ rookie season, Steve Smith got frustrated. Will Davis show off the growth he’s made in his game? Sean Smith can’t afford to drop anything that touches his hands.

9. I’d like to see the Dolphins offense produce two big plays. That’s the bar Daboll set in last weekend’s game against the Falcons. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a 40-yard touchdown pass. I’m referring to plays that produce 25 or more yards.

10. Can little Phillip Livas do it again, producing another spectacular return that enhances his chances of making the 53-man roster. We’ve been here before South Florida. Remember a guy named Chris Williams. He proposed and left you standing at the alter in ‘09. Livas has three games to recreate the magic he had against the Falcons.